BLACK MASTERBATCHES

Carbon Black is a key additive in many types of plastic resins. It can impart a variety of desirable characteristics, including color, protection from UV radiations and conductivity. Thus, Carbon black has always been the most widely used black pigment because of its coloring ability, cost effectiveness and performance. Simple coloring requires only enough carbon black to achieve opacity @ 0.5% loading. The undertone exhibited by carbon black ranges from warm brown to alcohol blue. Carbon blacks with blue undertones are often favoured because of their perceived higher jetness. Tint strength is the relative ability of the carbon black to darken a colored resin. Gloss level can range from a very shiny appearance to a matte finish. Surface area affects jetness(intensity of black color) and UV resistance of the carbon black. The property of the particles and of primary aggregates that they constitute are important factors in controlling carbon black performance. High 'Structure' indicates aggregates comprising of many primary particles with considerable branching and chaining. Low 'Structure' indicates primary aggregates comprising relatively few particles that form a more compact unit. Generally, a carbon black with higher surface area should be chosen to obtain the maximum light absorption necessary for optimal jetness and tint strength. Low structure carbon blacks exhibit increased jetness because of a higher absorption/scattering ratio. Low structure tends to give higher gloss